kobalt tools...??

[iandh]

Here are some pictures of my Kobalt wrenches I took awhile back ..

Those look nice.

It really pisses me off how bad the quality of tools is getting.



The Taiwan swivel head ratchets at harbor freight cost about $14, and are better quality than almost anything I've seen besides the truck (and some industrial) brands. It really irritates me.



I think it's a shame that Lowes and Home depot both cheaped out so badly on their tool lines... they're just a joke now. I literally wouldn't use some of the stuff to prop up a table leg.

It pisses me off having to look at an HF tool and say, wow it's actually nicer than some of the USA made tools I've seen.

 

[jethro29]

i have a large variety of cobalt tool that i keep in my vehicle and use for those on site repairs for people.i am very happy with them and would buy them again.

 

[gabeancounter]

I spent about a half hour today looking at the kobalt tools and the gearwrench. I was not impressed with kobalt. The kobalt flex ratchets was what I went for. These have a lot of slop in the ratchet part. The flex lock seems ok and finish was ok but it was really loose gears. They even had the special $12.50 1/4 set available at my store, but it was a pass. The wrench set for $20 was a pass as well, but i really liked the new screwdrivers by kobalt.
I liked the gearwrench reversible and the x-beam, but I am a pass on the flex head ones because of non-locking. Just my thoughts!

 

[Vinko]

I think I posted this a while back, but during the whole SO/Kobalt thing, SO driver picked up a set of Kobalt flare wrenches and compared them to his SO ones, and said they were the same. I'd love a set of SO flares for my older car, but he said you save your money and find an used set of Kobalt on ebay. Same thing

 

[Boost Creep]

The modern Kobalt tools in stores ****. They are one step above HF but a step bellow the screwdrivers you buy at the dollar store. I hat kobalt tools and do not reccomend them to anyone. Maybe for props in movies there good, but other then that there worthless. There boxes also ****. My buddy got one of those big boxes that look like stainless steel. It works a few weeks for him.

i've had one of the stainless boxes for a year and a half and its worked great for me

 

[nolatoolguy]

i've had one of the stainless boxes for a year and a half and its worked great for me

IDK, maybe he has bad luck at lowes or you baby yours. Ime not really sure witch one.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I think I posted this a while back, but during the whole SO/Kobalt thing, SO driver picked up a set of Kobalt flare wrenches and compared them to his SO ones, and said they were the same. I'd love a set of SO flares for my older car, but he said you save your money and find an used set of Kobalt on ebay. Same thing

Good f luck! I bought both the metrics and SAE on closeout, when they had them, using a gift card. $40 each set, and I had the whole shop B@Ming that I hadn't bought them each one. (were the last two)

I've been watching for my dad, and I haven't seen any in a LONG time.

 

[Wrenchette]

The easiest way -for me anyway- to identify old Kobalt tools is to look for a Snap On date code.

this 3/8s drive 1/4 socket has a half moon 2001 date code.

 

[Vinko]

The easiest way -for me anyway- to identify old Kobalt tools is to look for a Snap On date code.

this 3/8s drive 1/4 socket has a half moon 2001 date code.

Thanks

How many years did the Snap-On-Kobalt sockets get made?

 

[philw]

I found an article about Kobalt tools that stated they were introduced in 1998. I found several posts on message boards mentioning the change from polish to satin finish and it seems to point to sometime in 2003.

If anyone is looking to buy some used make sure to get them at a good price because if you have to warranty one the new tool will be different.

 

[brian90505]

Kobalt wrenches used to be made in Snap-On's Kenosha, WI plant back in the early 90s.

Thanks for that info. A cop buddy of mine who knows nothing about tools told me that Home Depot tools were made by Snap-on. I told him he's crazy, but now I know he was referring to Lowe's, and was right...sort of.